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June 15, 2012

Defying Assembly, Virginia Judges Appoint Openly Gay Prosecutor to Bench 
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Virginia’s Circuit Court has appointed an openly gay prosecutor to the
bench just one month after state lawmakers rejected his judicial
nomination. Tracy Thorne-Begland, a former Navy officer and fighter
pilot, failed to gain the necessary majority in May after Republican
opponents said he would push an "activist agenda." Thorne-Begland was
the only candidate among more than three dozen judicial nominees to be
rejected. Two decades ago, Thorne-Begland publicly disclosed his sexual
orientation in a challenge to the military’s ban on openly LGBT
servicemembers. Republicans accused him of "homosexual advocacy" and
said his sexual orientation would render him unable to be impartial. His
appointment on Thursday is only temporary until Virginia lawmakers begin
their next session.

 

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